Antenna arrays and multi-frequency combining antennas

Abstract

The antenna array includes a reflector and a plurality of high-frequency radiation unit arrays disposed on the reflector; a first and a second low-frequency radiation unit array are disposed on the reflector, wherein high-frequency radiation units are nested within the low-frequency radiation units at the first and second ends of each of the first and second low-frequency radiation unit arrays, and high-frequency radiation units are nested within the remaining low-frequency radiation units of each of the first and second low-frequency radiation unit arrays. The low-frequency radiation units in the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the first high-frequency radiation units of the adjacent outermost high-frequency radiation unit array are staggered within the column, and the low-frequency radiation units in the second low-frequency radiation unit array and the first high-frequency radiation units of the adjacent outermost high-frequency radiation unit array are staggered within the column. This solution has made significant breakthroughs in reducing size and improving antenna surface utilization. While ensuring various technical parameters, it reduces the antenna surface, reduces cost and weight, and meets current communication needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of mobile communications, and in particular relates to an antenna array and a multi-frequency combining antenna configured with the antenna array. Background Art

[0002] The rapid economic and social development has brought new opportunities to mobile communications, but it has also posed severe challenges to communication systems. Due to the varying needs of various scenarios, antenna resource allocation is severely insufficient, making it imperative for operators to improve antenna resource utilization. The rapid development of mobile communication technology and the increasing number of communication network standards have significantly increased the construction cost of network base stations to accommodate the operating frequency bands of different network standards. Furthermore, with site resources becoming increasingly scarce, many sites are facing the challenge of not being able to add new base station antennas. Therefore, the advent of the era of multi-network coexistence requires the accelerated evolution of base station antennas towards multi-frequency and miniaturization. Miniaturized multi-frequency combining antennas that support multi-system operation have become the primary development direction for base station antennas.

[0003] See Figure 1 The main method for implementing multi-frequency, multi-standard antennas currently in use is to configure each radiating element in the antenna array as a high-frequency radiating element that meets the operating frequency bands of both feed systems. This design is then arranged in a top-to-bottom configuration to provide independent feeds for the first and second feed systems. This means that two independently adjustable feed systems are arranged top-to-bottom to form a multi-frequency, multi-standard antenna array. This design is difficult to miniaturize and meet the antenna requirements of mobile operators. It also significantly increases antenna cost, weight, and performance, making it difficult to achieve cost-effectiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The primary purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems and to provide an antenna array and a multi-frequency combining antenna configured with the antenna array.

[0005] In order to meet the various objectives of the present invention, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An antenna array comprises a reflector, and a plurality of high-frequency radiation unit arrays arranged side by side on the reflector, each of the high-frequency radiation unit arrays comprising a plurality of first high-frequency radiation units; a first low-frequency radiation unit array and a second low-frequency radiation unit array, each comprising a plurality of low-frequency radiation units, are also arranged on the reflector, wherein second high-frequency radiation units are nested in the low-frequency radiation units at the head and tail ends of each of the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the second low-frequency radiation unit array, and third high-frequency radiation units are nested in the remaining low-frequency radiation units of each of the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the second low-frequency radiation unit array, the low-frequency radiation units in the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the first high-frequency radiation units of the adjacent outermost high-frequency radiation unit array are staggered within the column, and the low-frequency radiation units in the second low-frequency radiation unit array and the first high-frequency radiation units of the adjacent outermost high-frequency radiation unit array are staggered within the column.

[0007] Preferably, the plurality of high-frequency radiation unit arrays include odd-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays and even-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays; the odd-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays are arranged at the same height as each other.

[0008] Preferably, the high-frequency radiation unit arrays in the even-numbered columns are arranged at the same height as each other.

[0009] Preferably, each of the odd-numbered column-frequency radiation unit arrays and its adjacent even-numbered column-frequency radiation unit array are arranged at different heights.

[0010] Preferably, each high-frequency radiation element array has the same column spacing as an adjacent high-frequency radiation element array.

[0011] Preferably, the plurality of first high-frequency radiation units in each high-frequency radiation unit array have the same intra-column spacing.

[0012] Preferably, each of the first high-frequency radiation units and each of the third high-frequency radiation units are connected to a combining unit.

[0013] Preferably, the multiple low-frequency radiation units of the first low-frequency radiation unit array have the same intra-column spacing.

[0014] Preferably, the multiple low-frequency radiation units of the second low-frequency radiation unit array have the same intra-column spacing.

[0015] The present invention also provides a multi-frequency combining antenna configured with the above antenna array.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] The present invention provides an antenna array in which second high-frequency radiating elements are nested within the low-frequency radiating elements at the front and rear ends of each of a first low-frequency radiating element array and a second low-frequency radiating element array; a third high-frequency radiating element is nested within the remaining low-frequency radiating elements of each of the first low-frequency radiating element array and the second low-frequency radiating element array; the low-frequency radiating elements in the first low-frequency radiating element array and the first high-frequency radiating elements of the high-frequency radiating element array at the outermost end of one side of the reflector are arranged alternately within the column; and the low-frequency radiating elements in the second low-frequency radiating element array and the first high-frequency radiating elements of the high-frequency radiating element array at the outermost end of the other side of the reflector are arranged alternately within the column. This structural arrangement can achieve multi-frequency and multi-mode antenna arrays while further realizing the use of two independent feeding systems in a nested arrangement on the same reflector, thereby significantly reducing the size of the antenna array. While meeting the same technical parameters, the antenna array can be miniaturized, thereby miniaturizing the multi-frequency combining antenna using the antenna array, which is beneficial for improving the utilization of the antenna surface. At the same time, it can reduce the manufacturing cost and weight of the antenna, meeting the needs of current communications.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the following description, will become apparent from the following description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-frequency and multi-standard antenna array in the prior art.

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the antenna array of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna array base station array and intelligent array layout structure of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms "a", "an", "said" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms. It should be further understood that the term "comprising" used in the description of the present invention refers to the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say that an element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. In addition, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wireless connection or wireless coupling. The term "and / or" used herein includes all or any unit and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0025] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be understood to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the prior art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0026] The present invention provides an antenna array, such as Figure 2 As shown, the antenna array includes a reflector 1, a plurality of high-frequency radiation unit arrays 21, 23; 22, 24 arranged side by side on the reflector 1, each high-frequency radiation unit array 21, 23; 22, 24 includes a plurality of first high-frequency radiation units 2; a first low-frequency radiation unit array 31 and a second low-frequency radiation unit array 32, each including a plurality of low-frequency radiation units 302, are also arranged on the reflector 1. Among them, the second high-frequency radiation unit 6 is nested in the low-frequency radiation unit 4 at the head and tail ends of each of the first low-frequency radiation unit array 31 and the second low-frequency radiation unit array 32, and the third high-frequency radiation unit 3 is nested in the remaining low-frequency radiation unit 4 of each of the first low-frequency radiation unit array 31 and the second low-frequency radiation unit array 32. The low-frequency radiation unit 4 in the first low-frequency radiation unit array 31 and the first high-frequency radiation unit 2 of the first column (i.e., the rightmost end in the figure) of the high-frequency radiation unit array on the reflecting plate 1 are staggered in the column direction, and the low-frequency radiation unit 4 in the second low-frequency radiation unit array 32 and the first high-frequency radiation unit 2 of the last column (i.e., the leftmost end in the figure) of the high-frequency radiation unit array on the reflecting plate 1 are staggered in the column direction.

[0027] The multiple high-frequency radiation unit arrays 21, 23; 22, 24 include odd-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays 21, 23 and even-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays 22, 24; the odd-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays 21, 23 are arranged at the same height as each other, and the even-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays 22, 24 are also arranged at the same height as each other.

[0028] Specifically, in one embodiment, the plurality of high-frequency radiation element arrays have four columns. To facilitate description of the specific implementation and technical effects of the technical solution of this embodiment, the four columns of high-frequency radiation element arrays are named as the first column of high-frequency radiation element array 21, the second column of high-frequency radiation element array 22, the third column of high-frequency radiation element array 23, and the fourth column of high-frequency radiation element array 24. The first column of high-frequency radiation elements 21 and the fourth column of high-frequency radiation element array 24 are respectively arranged on both sides of the reflector 1 near the edge.

[0029] The first high-frequency radiating elements 2 in the four-column high-frequency radiating element arrays are staggered. Specifically, the first and third columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 21 and 23 are arranged at the same height, and each first high-frequency radiating element 2 has the same intra-column spacing. The first high-frequency radiating elements 2 in the second and fourth columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 22 and 24 are arranged at the same height, and each first high-frequency radiating element 2 has the same intra-column spacing, so that the first high-frequency radiating elements 2 in the four-column high-frequency radiating element arrays are staggered. The staggered arrangement of the first high-frequency radiating elements 2 in the four-column high-frequency radiating element arrays can improve the space utilization of the reflector 1, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the multi-frequency combining antenna.

[0030] Specifically, in one embodiment, the four columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 21, 22, 23, and 24 have a column spacing of 75 mm, and the spacing between two adjacent first high-frequency radiating elements 2 within each high-frequency radiating element array is 140 mm. The first and third columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 21 and 23 are arranged side by side at the same height, and the second and fourth columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 22 and 24 are arranged side by side at the same height, resulting in a layout in which the different high-frequency radiating element arrays are offset by 70 mm in vertical direction. In other embodiments, the above spacing can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0031] The multiple low-frequency radiating elements 4 comprising the first low-frequency radiating element array 31 and the second low-frequency radiating element array 32 have the same intra-column spacing within the array. The low-frequency radiating elements 4 of the first low-frequency radiating element array 31 are interleaved with the first high-frequency radiating elements 2 of the first high-frequency radiating element array 21, located at the outermost end (i.e., the rightmost end in the figure). The low-frequency radiating elements 4 of the second low-frequency radiating element array 32 are interleaved with the first high-frequency radiating elements 2 of the second high-frequency radiating element array 24, located at the outermost end (i.e., the leftmost end in the figure) on the other side of the reflector 1. In other words, at least one first high-frequency radiating element 2 is spaced between two low-frequency radiating elements 4. The low-frequency radiating elements 4 are bowl-shaped radiating elements, and a first high-frequency radiating element 2 is disposed between two adjacent low-frequency radiating elements 4. Furthermore, a third high-frequency radiating element 3 is nested within each low-frequency radiating element 4. Second high-frequency radiating elements 6 are nested within the low-frequency radiating elements 4 at both ends (i.e., the ends of the arrays) of the first low-frequency radiating element array 31 and the second low-frequency radiating element array 32. The first high-frequency radiation unit 2, the second high-frequency radiation unit 6, and the third high-frequency radiation unit 3 can be radiation units of the same frequency band or radiation units of different frequency bands. The first high-frequency radiation unit 2, the second high-frequency radiation unit 6, and the third high-frequency radiation unit 3 together constitute the first column high-frequency radiation unit array 21 or the fourth column high-frequency radiation unit array 24 described in this embodiment. The position of the third high-frequency radiation unit 3 and the second high-frequency radiation unit 6 nested by the low-frequency radiation unit 4 in the high-frequency radiation unit array 21 or 24 in which they are located can be offset by a certain distance relative to the plurality of first high-frequency radiation units 2 that are not nested in their longitudinal arrangement line. For example, the column spacing between the third high-frequency radiation unit 3 nested by the low-frequency radiation unit 4 and the adjacent high-frequency radiation unit array is 95 mm, and the column spacing between the first high-frequency radiation unit 2 that is not nested and the adjacent high-frequency radiation unit array is 75 mm. Setting a certain displacement deviation can better utilize the space of the reflector 1.

[0032] In other embodiments, the first high-frequency radiation unit 2 , the second high-frequency radiation unit 6 , and the third high-frequency radiation unit 3 may also be located on the same longitudinal arrangement line.

[0033] The first high-frequency radiation unit 2 is arranged between two adjacent low-frequency radiation units 4 of the first low-frequency radiation unit array 31 and the second low-frequency radiation unit array 32. A plurality of high-frequency radiation units and low-frequency radiation units can be arranged on the reflection plate 1. Under the premise of meeting the multi-band signal transmission of the multi-frequency combining antenna, the space of the reflection plate 1 can be effectively utilized, thereby meeting the demand for miniaturization of the antenna.

[0034] The improvement in the structural setting of the multi-antenna array of the present invention achieves miniaturization, and thus can realize the production of miniaturized, multi-standard, multi-port, and small-area antennas, meeting the needs of mobile operators for small-area network coverage. At the same time, it greatly reduces product costs, avoids waste of resources, improves cost-effectiveness, and breaks through the difficulties of existing technologies.

[0035] In one embodiment, combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, each first high-frequency radiating element 2 and third high-frequency radiating element 3 in the first column of high-frequency radiating element array 21 and the fourth column of high-frequency radiating element array 24 are connected to a combiner unit 5 to achieve high-frequency radiating element multiplexing in the first column of high-frequency radiating element array 21 and the fourth column of high-frequency radiating element array 24. The multiple first high-frequency radiating elements 2 and third high-frequency radiating elements 3 between the last two second high-frequency radiating elements 6 in the first and fourth columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 21 and 24, together with the first high-frequency radiating elements 2 in the second and third columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays 22 and 23, form a smart array. The smart array constitutes the first feeding system of the antenna array.

[0036] In addition, all high-frequency radiating elements in the first high-frequency radiating array 21 and the fourth high-frequency radiating array 24, as well as the first low-frequency radiating element array 31 and the second low-frequency radiating element array 32, together form a base station array. The base station array constitutes the second feeding system of the antenna array.

[0037] Since the multiple high-frequency radiation units in the middle of the first column high-frequency radiation array 21 and the fourth column high-frequency radiation array 24 are all connected to the combiner unit 5, in order to take into account the column spacing requirements of the high-frequency radiation unit array in the intelligent array and the distance requirements of the nested low-frequency radiation units, all the high-frequency radiation units in the first column high-frequency radiation array 21 and the fourth column high-frequency radiation array 24 of the base station array cannot be coaxially arrayed. Figure 2 The longitudinal axis of the nested third high-frequency radiation unit 3 is at a certain distance from the longitudinal axis of the non-nested first high-frequency radiation unit 2, preferably 15-25 mm.

[0038] The combining unit 5 is used to realize the multiplexing of the high-frequency radiation unit. The combining unit 5 is used to divide the working frequency band of the high-frequency radiation unit into two effective working frequency bands 1710MHZ-1830MHZ and 1920MHZ-2170MHZ through a microstrip combiner, thereby realizing the multiplexing of the high-frequency radiation units of the antenna, reducing the number of high-frequency radiation units, reducing the weight of the antenna, and increasing the working frequency band of the antenna.

[0039] The first low-frequency radiation unit array 31 and the second low-frequency radiation unit array 32 of the base station array have a certain distance between the longitudinal axes of the first and last two low-frequency radiation units 4 and the longitudinal axes of the middle multiple low-frequency radiation units 4, preferably 15-25 mm. The adjacent two low-frequency radiation units 4 have the same intra-row spacing, so as to complete the nesting arrangement with the high-frequency radiation units on the same reflector 1.

[0040] The antenna array provided by the present invention utilizes a staggered arrangement of high-frequency radiating units in multiple columns of high-frequency radiating unit arrays, and adopts a design that combines intelligent arrays and base station arrays. This design changes the traditional top-to-bottom arrangement of the intelligent arrays and base station arrays into a nested arrangement, thereby significantly reducing the size of the antenna array. It also solves the difficulty of single-column bandwidth modulation in intelligent arrays and the problems of high-frequency gain and grating lobes in base station arrays.

[0041] In addition, by combining the smart array and the base station array on a single reflector 1, the length and width of the antenna array can be effectively reduced, and the number of radiating elements can be reduced. This can significantly improve the utilization rate of the multi-frequency antenna surface, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and weight of the antenna and improving product competitiveness. By staggering the positions of the high-frequency radiating elements between multiple high-frequency radiating element arrays, the space on the reflector 1 can be flexibly utilized. On the same reflector 1, the radiation indicators of both the smart array and the base station array can be met. Because the antenna array has a shorter structure while maintaining the original technical parameters, it is more conducive to engineering implementation and saves engineering resources.

[0042] In other embodiments, the number of high-frequency radiating element arrays in the antenna array can be set according to the specific requirements of the multi-frequency combining antenna, and is not limited to the four columns of high-frequency radiating element arrays described above. The number of high-frequency radiating elements in each column of the high-frequency radiating element array can also be set according to specific requirements.

[0043] In summary, the antenna array provided by this invention offers the advantages of a smaller overall size compared to traditional antenna arrays, which can improve antenna surface utilization. While ensuring all technical parameters, this antenna array overcomes conventional design bottlenecks. Antennas using this antenna array can reduce antenna surface area, lower costs, and reduce weight, thus meeting current communication needs.

[0044] The present invention also provides a multi-frequency combining antenna, comprising the above antenna array.

[0045] The above description is merely an illustration of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in this invention is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but also encompasses other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-mentioned inventive concept. For example, a technical solution formed by replacing the above-mentioned features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions invented in this invention.

[0046] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological logical acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are merely example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. An antenna array comprising a reflector and a plurality of high-frequency radiation element arrays arranged side by side on the reflector, each of the high-frequency radiation element arrays comprising a plurality of first high-frequency radiation elements; characterized in that: A first low-frequency radiation unit array and a second low-frequency radiation unit array, each including a plurality of low-frequency radiation units, are also provided on the reflective plate, wherein a second high-frequency radiation unit is nested in the low-frequency radiation units at the head and tail ends of each of the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the second low-frequency radiation unit array, and a third high-frequency radiation unit is nested in the remaining low-frequency radiation units of each of the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the second low-frequency radiation unit array, the low-frequency radiation units in the first low-frequency radiation unit array and the first high-frequency radiation units of the adjacent outermost high-frequency radiation unit array are staggered within the column, and the low-frequency radiation units in the second low-frequency radiation unit array and the first high-frequency radiation units of the adjacent outermost high-frequency radiation unit array are staggered within the column; the multiple high-frequency radiation unit arrays include high-frequency radiation unit arrays in odd columns and high-frequency radiation unit arrays in even columns; each of the high-frequency radiation unit arrays in the odd columns is arranged at unequal heights with the high-frequency radiation unit arrays in the adjacent even columns.

2. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: The odd-numbered columns of high-frequency radiation unit arrays are arranged at the same height as each other.

3. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: The high-frequency radiation unit arrays in the even-numbered columns are arranged at the same height as each other.

4. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: Each high-frequency radiation element array has the same column spacing as an adjacent high-frequency radiation element array.

5. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: The multiple first high-frequency radiation units of each high-frequency radiation unit array have the same intra-row spacing.

6. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first high-frequency radiation units and each of the third high-frequency radiation units is connected to a combining unit.

7. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: The multiple low-frequency radiation units of the first low-frequency radiation unit array have the same intra-column spacing.

8. The antenna array according to claim 1, wherein: The multiple low-frequency radiation elements of the second low-frequency radiation element array have the same intra-column spacing.

9. A multi-frequency combining antenna, characterized in that The method comprises a plurality of antenna arrays according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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